In this exclusive Industry Dive episode, Chris Gehringer, Senior Mastering Engineer and Partner at Sterling Sound, joins me for an in-depth exploration of modern music mastering and the ever-evolving loudness wars.
With decades of experience and a portfolio that includes iconic projects like Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Naughty By Nature’s 1991 self-titled album, and modern chart-toppers from Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa, Chris has mastered countless albums while earning over 20 Grammy nominations. His impressive track record makes him a leading authority on the challenges and innovations in audio mastering today.
Included in our discussion:
Evolution of Music Mastering: Explore how music mastering has transformed over the decades and what that means for today's sound quality.
The State of the Loudness War in 2025: Analyze where the loudness war stands and its impact on modern music.
The Impact of Brickwalling: Understand how brickwalling techniques can hinder the mastering process and affect dynamic sound quality.
Industry Shifts in Audio Quality: Discuss whether a future shift towards the philosophy of "louder doesn't mean better" is on the horizon.
Insights from Industry Experts: Hear Eric Bass of Shinedown recount his experiences working with Sterling Sound’s Ted Jensen and his preference for a more dynamic master.
Behind the Music: Delve into Chris Gehringer's role in creating the unique interludes featured on Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
Controversies and Challenges: Analyze the loudness and brickwalling controversies surrounding Metallica's Death Magnetic.
The Future of Mastering: Discover how emerging technologies like Dolby Atmos and AI are shaping the future of music mastering.
This episode is a must-listen for music industry professionals, audio enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the technical and creative evolution of music mastering. Whether you're a fan of classic albums or the latest hits, my conversation with Chris provides invaluable insights into the art and science of audio mastering today.
Head over to MyWeeklyMixtape.com to stream every song featured in this episode, browse the full archive of curated playlists, check out exclusive artist interviews, and discover even more music content designed for fans of all genres!
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Theme music is "Unveiled" by The 4th. You can find the album on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube, Bandcamp & more!
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